One gold. One bronze. Three consecutive quarterfinal exits. And a legend’s return to fix it all.
The Seleção’s VNL Story — Brazil’s Complete Campaign Record, Season by Season
Brazil entered the Volleyball Nations League era as the most decorated men’s volleyball nation in history. Three Olympic gold medals, three World Championship titles, and nine World League crowns — no program had accumulated more hardware across the sport’s major competitions.
What the VNL era revealed, however, was a team in transition. After winning gold in 2021, Brazil suffered three consecutive quarterfinal eliminations, seemingly unable to recapture the consistency that had defined their earlier dominance. The solution was radical: bring back Bernardinho — the legendary coach who had built the Brazilian dynasty in the first place.
The result was immediate. In 2025, Brazil returned to the podium with a bronze medal in Ningbo, adding a second medal to their all-time VNL record, while also finishing with the strongest Preliminary Phase record of any team in the tournament’s history (11–1).
This guide covers Brazil’s complete VNL history from 2018 to 2025: every season, every key match, the coaches who shaped the era, and what the next chapter looks like.
Last updated: June 2026
Quick Facts
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| VNL editions competed | 7 (Men) |
| VNL titles | 1 (2021) |
| VNL medals total | 2 (1× gold, 0× silver, 1× bronze) |
| Best finish | 🥇 Gold (2021) |
| Consecutive QF exits | 3 (2022, 2023, 2024) |
| 2025 Preliminary Phase record | 11–1, 32 points (1st place) |
| Head coach (2024–present) | Bernardinho (Bernardo Rezende) |
| Head coach (2017–2023) | Renan Dal Zotto |
| Top scorer (VNL 2025 Prelim.) | Alan Souza – 167 points |
| Best individual (VNL 2025) | Fernando Kreling — Best Setter |
Brazil VNL Medal Table — All-Time
| Year | Result | Match / Opponent | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4th place | SF exit | — | Lille, France |
| 2019 | 4th place | SF exit | — | Chicago, USA |
| 2021 | 🥇 Gold | defeated Poland 3–1 | 22–25, 25–23, 25–16, 25–14 | Rimini, Italy |
| 2022 | QF exit (5th place) | — | — | Bologna, Italy |
| 2023 | QF exit (5th place) | — | — | Gdańsk, Poland |
| 2024 | QF exit (5th place) | lost to USA | — | Łódź, Poland |
| 2025 | 🥉 Bronze | defeated Slovenia 3–1 | 23–25, 25–20, 25–23, 25–19 | Ningbo, China |
Season-by-Season History
2018 — Strong Start, Semifinal Wall
Brazil entered the inaugural VNL edition among the favourites and delivered a solid Preliminary Phase campaign. They advanced to the Finals in Lille, France, and reached the semifinals — only to fall short of the final, finishing in fourth place after losing the bronze medal match.
Russia won the inaugural VNL title in Lille, defeating France in the final. For Brazil, fourth place was a disappointing result given their historical pedigree, but the tournament provided a useful benchmark for what the new competition would demand.
Final result: 4th place
2019 — Second Consecutive Fourth Place in Chicago
Brazil reached the semifinals again in 2019, this time at the Finals in Chicago. As in 2018, they could not convert their semifinal appearance into a medal — finishing fourth for the second time in two editions.
Russia defended their title in Chicago, defeating the United States 3–0 in the final. Brazil’s pattern of reaching the last four without converting into a podium finish was becoming a familiar frustration — one that would be decisively reversed just two years later.
Final result: 4th place
2021 — Gold in Rimini: Brazil’s First VNL Title ⭐
The 2021 VNL final in Rimini produced one of the most emotionally charged results in the competition’s history — and not only because of what happened on the court.
Head coach Renan Dal Zotto had been hospitalised with COVID-19 complications during the team’s pre-tournament preparations and was unable to travel to Italy. Assistant coach Carlos Schawnke stepped in to lead the squad through the tournament. When Brazil won the gold medal match against Poland 3–1 (22–25, 25–23, 25–16, 25–14), reversing a one-set deficit against the reigning world champions, the coaching staff appeared on the podium holding Dal Zotto’s photo and his jersey — a moment that captured the spirit of a team playing for something beyond the trophy.
The victory gave Brazil their first-ever VNL title, a particularly meaningful milestone for a program that had won nine editions of the predecessor World League but had never lifted the VNL crown. Opposite Wallace de Souza — named both MVP and Best Opposite of the tournament — described the win as “extra special” precisely because of that first-time significance.
France claimed bronze, defeating Slovenia 3–0 in the third-place match.
Final result: 🥇 Gold Defeated: Poland 3–1 (22–25, 25–23, 25–16, 25–14) Coached by: Carlos Schawnke (standing in for hospitalised Renan Dal Zotto)
2022 — The Drought Begins: QF Exit in Bologna
Defending their title in Bologna, Italy, Brazil suffered a quarterfinal elimination — their first failure to reach the VNL semifinals since the competition began. France won the gold, defeating the United States in a dramatic five-set final inspired by Earvin Ngapeth.
For Brazil, it was the beginning of three consecutive quarterfinal exits — a stretch that would define the mid-VNL era of the program and ultimately trigger the most significant coaching change in Brazilian volleyball since Bernardinho himself had stepped down in 2016.
Final result: QF exit (5th place)
2023 — Second Consecutive QF Exit in Gdańsk
Brazil’s 2023 VNL campaign ended in the same place as 2022 — the quarterfinals. Poland hosted the Finals in Gdańsk and won their first-ever VNL gold on home soil, defeating the United States 3–1 in front of over 11,000 home fans.
Brazil’s quarterfinal exit was their second in a row, raising serious questions about the program’s direction. Two consecutive eliminations at the same stage, following a gold just two years earlier, was a pattern that demanded answers.
Final result: QF exit (5th place)
2023 (Off-season) — Renan Steps Down, Bernardinho Returns
The breaking point came not at the VNL itself but in the autumn of 2023. Following Brazil’s qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Renan Dal Zotto announced his resignation as head coach, citing health reasons and a need for a family decision. His tenure had included the 2019 World Cup gold and the 2021 VNL title — a record any coach would be proud of — but the three consecutive quarterfinal exits had clouded the final chapter.
The Brazilian Volleyball Federation’s choice of successor was both surprising and inevitable: Bernardinho — Bernardo Rezende — the coach who had defined Brazilian volleyball dominance between 2001 and 2016, winning two Olympic golds, two World Championships, and nine World League titles. At 64, he returned to the program he had built, starting with the 2024 VNL season.
2024 — Third Consecutive QF Exit, But Signs of Progress
Bernardinho’s first VNL season with Brazil ended in the same place as the previous two — a quarterfinal exit, this time in Łódź, Poland. They lost to the United States and finished fifth overall.
However, the context was different. Bernardinho had made clear from the start that 2024 was a transition year — a new generation of players building chemistry, with the Paris 2024 Olympics as the primary focus. At the Olympics, however, Brazil endured a difficult tournament, losing to the United States 1–3 in the quarterfinals and finishing in fifth place — well short of the medals. The USA went on to claim Olympic bronze, defeating Italy in the third-place match.
The VNL and Olympic results were both disappointing, but understood within a broader rebuilding plan. The 2025 season would be the real test.
Final result: QF exit (5th place) Lost to: USA
2025 — Bronze in Ningbo: The Return to the Podium ⭐
Brazil’s 2025 VNL campaign was a statement from start to finish.
Under Bernardinho, the team dominated the Preliminary Phase in a way no other nation managed — finishing first with an 11–1 record and 32 points, the strongest group stage result of the entire tournament. Setter Fernando Kreling, known as Cachopa, was named Best Setter of the Preliminary Phase, and opposite Alan Souza led the team’s scoring with 167 points.
Quarterfinal: Brazil 3–1 China (29–31, 25–19, 25–16, 25–21)
The quarterfinal against hosts China in Ningbo began with a shock. China — playing in front of their home crowd at the Beilun Gymnasium — stunned Brazil by taking the first set 31–29 in overtime, after overcoming a four-point deficit. The crowd was electric.
Brazil’s response was decisive. With Cachopa stepping behind the serving line, the Brazilians produced a nine-point scoring run that completely changed the match’s dynamic. They dominated the next three sets to advance to the semifinals, with a five-point run in the fourth set — again with Cachopa serving — sealing the win.
Semifinal: Poland 3–0 Brazil (28–26, 25–19, 25–21)
The semifinal against Poland was a tough encounter. Poland, who would go on to win the gold, swept Brazil in three sets to book their place in the final. Despite the clean scoreline, the first two sets were competitive — Brazil fought to 26 all in the opener before Poland edged ahead.
Bronze medal match: Brazil 3–1 Slovenia (23–25, 25–20, 25–23, 25–19)
Brazil’s response to the semifinal defeat was composed. Against Slovenia in the bronze medal match, they dropped the first set before regrouping to win three straight.
Alan Souza led all scorers with 18 points — 16 kills at 52% efficiency, one ace and one block. Middle blocker Matheus Bispo dos Santos added 11 points including four kill blocks, anchoring Brazil’s net defence. In the third set, Slovenia surged to a 10–5 lead before Brazil clawed back and took the set at 25–23. The fourth set was level until 11–11, when Brazil strung together a five-point run to break the match open and seal their first VNL medal since 2021.
“This is the start of a young squad, a new cycle,” said setter Cachopa after the match. “Winning a medal validates the work we’ve put in.”
Final result: 🥉 Bronze QF: Brazil 3–1 China (29–31, 25–19, 25–16, 25–21) SF: Poland 3–0 Brazil (28–26, 25–19, 25–21) Bronze: Brazil 3–1 Slovenia (23–25, 25–20, 25–23, 25–19) Top scorer (bronze match): Alan Souza — 18 points
Key Players in Brazil’s VNL History
Alan Souza (Opposite)
Brazil’s top scorer in the 2025 VNL Preliminary Phase with 167 points, and the match-winner in the bronze medal match with 18 points. Souza has emerged as the primary scoring weapon for the new generation of Brazilian volleyball under Bernardinho.
Fernando Kreling — “Cachopa” (Setter)
Named Best Setter of the 2025 VNL Preliminary Phase, Cachopa is the playmaking engine of Bernardinho’s rebuilt squad. His serving, in particular, proved decisive in both the quarterfinal against China and the bronze medal match — back-to-back match-winning runs came with him behind the line.
Matheus Bispo dos Santos (Middle Blocker)
The anchor of Brazil’s blocking game in 2025, Bispo led Brazil’s net defence in the bronze medal match with four kill blocks and 11 total points. His development as a middle blocker of international quality is central to Brazil’s long-term plans.
Wallace de Souza (Opposite)
The star of Brazil’s 2021 gold medal campaign, Wallace was named both MVP and Best Opposite of the VNL 2021 tournament. A powerful diagonal attacker, he was the offensive centrepiece of the title-winning side in Rimini and a vocal leader who helped shape the culture of the team through the transition years that followed.
Maique Nascimento (Libero)
Named Best Digger of the 2025 VNL Preliminary Phase. Nascimento’s defensive quality and composure in reception have been a constant through multiple VNL campaigns, providing stability behind a team that was otherwise in significant flux between 2022 and 2024.
Memorable Moment: Rimini 2021 — A Trophy for Dal Zotto
Brazil 3–1 Poland — Gold Medal Match, VNL 2021, Rimini
Renan Dal Zotto was in hospital in Brazil when his team beat the reigning world champions 3–1 to win their first VNL title. When the match was over and the trophy was lifted, the coaching staff held his photo and jersey on the podium — a gesture that captured everything about a team that had played through an extraordinary circumstance.
Brazil had trailed by a set. Poland, led by Wilfredo León and Łukasz Kaczmarek, were formidable opponents. But Brazil reversed the match — winning the next three sets with increasing authority — to deliver a gold medal to a coach who would never forget watching it from a hospital room thousands of kilometres away.
Head Coaches
| Period | Coach | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 2017–2023 | Renan Dal Zotto | Brazilian |
| 2024–present | Bernardinho (Bernardo Rezende) | Brazilian |
Renan Dal Zotto guided Brazil through six VNL editions, winning gold in 2021 and reaching the semifinals in 2018 and 2019. His tenure ended by personal choice following Brazil’s Paris 2024 Olympic qualification.
Bernardinho — the coach who won two Olympic golds (Athens 2004, Rio 2016) and built Brazil’s World League dynasty with nine titles — returned to the program in late 2023. His first major result in the new role was the 2025 VNL bronze, delivered by a younger squad described by his own players as “just the beginning.”
Brazil VNL Records at a Glance
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total VNL medals | 2 |
| Gold medals | 1 (2021) |
| Bronze medals | 1 (2025) |
| Semifinal appearances | 4 (2018, 2019, 2021, 2025) |
| Consecutive QF exits | 3 (2022, 2023, 2024) |
| Best Preliminary Phase record | 11–1, 32 points (2025 — 1st place) |
| Best Setter award | Fernando Kreling “Cachopa” (2025) |
| Best Digger award | Maique Nascimento (2025) |
| VNL MVP | Wallace de Souza (2021) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Brazil ever won the VNL?
Yes. Brazil won their only VNL title in 2021 in Rimini, Italy, defeating Poland 3–1 (22–25, 25–23, 25–16, 25–14) in the gold medal match. Head coach Renan Dal Zotto was hospitalised at the time and unable to travel — his photo was held on the podium by his staff.
What happened to Brazil in VNL 2025?
Brazil dominated the Preliminary Phase with an 11–1 record (1st place, 32 points), defeated China 3–1 in the quarterfinals, lost to Poland 0–3 in the semifinals, and then beat Slovenia 3–1 to claim the bronze medal — their second VNL podium.
Who is Brazil’s VNL head coach?
Bernardinho (Bernardo Rezende) has been Brazil’s head coach since late 2023. He previously coached Brazil to two Olympic golds (2004, 2016) and nine World League titles and is widely regarded as one of the greatest volleyball coaches in history.
Why did Brazil struggle between 2022 and 2024?
Brazil suffered three consecutive quarterfinal exits in 2022, 2023 and 2024 — a dramatic dip from their 2021 gold. The period coincided with a significant generational transition in the squad and coaching instability following Renan Dal Zotto’s resignation. Bernardinho’s return in 2024 addressed both issues.
Who were Brazil’s top performers in VNL 2025?
Opposite Alan Souza (167 points in Preliminary Phase, 18 points in the bronze match), setter Fernando Kreling “Cachopa” (Best Setter of Preliminary Phase) and libero Maique Nascimento (Best Digger of Preliminary Phase) were the standout performers.
Quick Summary
- One Gold, One Bronze: Brazil’s VNL medals came in 2021 (gold, Rimini) and 2025 (bronze, Ningbo) — with three consecutive quarterfinal exits in between.
- Bernardinho’s Return: The legendary coach returned in late 2023 and immediately rebuilt the squad around a younger generation, delivering a bronze medal in his first full VNL season.
- Dominant 2025 Prelim: Brazil’s 11–1 record and 32 points in the 2025 Preliminary Phase was the strongest group stage performance of any nation in that edition.
- A New Generation: Cachopa, Alan Souza, Bispo and Nascimento form the core of a squad described by its own players as “just the beginning.”
- Looking to 2026: With Bernardinho’s system now embedded and the squad gaining experience together, Brazil enter VNL 2026 as one of the genuine contenders to challenge Poland for the title.
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